Definition:
Demyelinating disease is defined as any type of nervous system condition wherein the neurons' protective covering, called myelin sheath, is damaged. This causes impairment in the transmission of signals within affected nerves, which in turn results to damage in movement, cognition, sensation, or other bodily functions, depending on the nerves involved. Some common demyelinating disease includes multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, devic disease, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, and adrenomyeloneuropathy.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of Demyelinating disease will depend on the type of disease. Analysis of medical history, clinical data, physical examination, laboratory tests, MRI, and other tests may be done to confirm diagnosis.
Treatment:
Treatment of the disease depends on type and severity. Treatment may be management of acute attacks, disease-modifying treatments, therapies, management of effects, medications, and alternative treatments.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms vary depending on the type of demyelinating disease. Multiple sclerosis symptoms include sensation changes, muscle weakness, moving difficulty, abnormal spasms of the muscles, fatigue, bowel and bladder difficulties, emotional symptomatology, and cognitive impairment. Other symptoms for the other types, may include sensory loss, paralysis, vision loss, and reduced spinal cord function.
Causes:
A number of Demyelinating diseases may be caused by heredity, some through infectious diseases, others through autoimmune reactions, and some by factors that are unknown.
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